Submit your work, meet writers and drop the ads. Become a member
 
183 · Jun 2024
Anniversary Haiku
CJ Sutherland Jun 2024
Forty years in love
Celebrate our Jubilee
Praise God Lifetime love
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day
Jubilee 6-19-24
A special celebration or anniversary
182 · Sep 2023
Stranger Things
CJ Sutherland Sep 2023
Butterflies
Can’t.       See        The
Color.        Of Their.         Wings
However,
We as             Humans            Can See
How               Beautifully          They Are
We                Appreciate              their
Majesty         From.         Afar
Like Wise
Sometimes
We.       All     Think
We.            Are             Not
Even.              Good             Enough
But                 Others                See
How                Amazingly.          ­  Special
We.                         Can                           Be
Why Do.                We.                Listen To
That.              Negative              Guff?
Fill.                Your                 Head
With. .   Positive.     Stuff!
This is an example of what I call poetry art. I was trying to make butterfly wings, but this format just won’t work with me 9/10/23
CJ Sutherland Apr 2024
I am California Born and raised
The 70s Great music love and peace craze
I grew up in southern Cali (Califoria)
In the San Fernando Valley

( I’m totally a Valley girl Fur Sure)
Kids Talking in jargon, there’s no cure
People really used terms like the movie
“Clueless” where everything was groovy
Totally awesome, Rad, tubular and cool
Low riders surfers, GDI groups in school

We moved to the country Tarzana
Singing John Denver oh, Susanna
200 chickens; dog, horse older than sin
One breath from the glue factory Old Fin

Neighbors had Santa Anita quarter horse
A wonderful life until the divorce
As we grew, we went our separate way
The same kids K-12 still chat today

School reunion, now Facebook friends
See how we turned out made amends
Through the years, laughter, and tears
California  destroyed, our worst fears

LA is not the same place that used to be
It looks like a bush and they call it a tree
A mass exodus move fast travel far
Leaving in groves by plane, train, and car

Homeless tent city people in the park
Dangerous to move around after dark
Protesters intent to destroy every college
Institutions that stand for knowledge

People learned stay away from the city
San Francisco has a P and **** Map pity
Tourism is a thing of the past
California beauty sadly did not last

I’m the last hold out my friends are gone.
The Roxy, Rainbow Club Rock Music songs
Memorabilia is all that remains the same
So much history now sadness, I refrain

Snow ski and swim the ocean the same day
Vacations, camp all the lakes,places we play
Home uninsurable non-renewable wildfire
I used to believe it’s here I would retire

Earthquakes. I never paid them any mind.
A little shaking from time to time
(Accept 1994, Northridge  6.7, mg 4:31 AM)
Then good still outweighed the bad
The destruction of California makes me sad

An illegal chants  burn Cali to the ground
An accident she set herself on fire found
Set 6 fires arrested released set 5 more
Kamala Bail fund fire girl gone explore

Shasta Lake, houseboat Open space goal
3 days on the lake and not seeing a soul
Shasta Caverns, Yellowstone mountains
Mount Shasta, pure snow water, fountain
  
People took pride, no littering, they care
Now trash sprawled over everywhere
California Poppy the yellow state flower
Remembering , Cali in her golden hour
BLT webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Exodus
Many people leaving the same place at the same time for mass movement from one location to another
181 · Sep 2024
Diamond Lake
CJ Sutherland Sep 2024
Sunrise Sunset views
Majestic ethereal
       Brilliant sparkle shine
     Wind on the lake diamonds dance
    Incandescent Luminous


Tanka Haiku
5 Lines 31 syllables 5-7-5-7-7


Inspired song
1) Eagle and the Hawk
By John Denver
BLT Websters word of the day Challenge
Incandescent9-2-24
Literally, and figuratively that which is
white or glowing.
Brilliant, impressive, happy, lively

I thought Diamond Lake got it’s name from the million sparkles reflected on the water in the breeze of the setting sun and sunrise
But the facts;
John Diamond, 1847, Irish immigrant settler first saw the lake in 1852 while searching for a wagon route over the cascade mountains. He climbed the timberline at commanding Peak and saw 23 miles of skyline and the Lake.
His name was given to
His view point
Dimond Peak (1870 feet)
and Diamond Lake
CJ Sutherland Oct 2024
Most Colleges Lack of truth and knowledge
Have developed an ambivalent ethos why
Bull horns, disruption chants, battle cry
Burning our flag Americans must die

A breeding ground for distention
Studies lack focus On subject retention
College has become a platform
For protests by illegals to transform

America ‘s cold civil war from within
We’re on the brink, of fighting to begin
Most Americans live in a bubble
They sense it, but don’t realize the trouble

Will America be taken to her knees
Capitulate what extremist believes
We fight for the freedom as before
Standing at a precipice watchers once more

Not my WILL but God’s will
Prophecies will fulfill
Our destiny and plan
What God has in store for His land

Most will not be ready
Disillusion, thirsty, starvation ,not steady
Trouble is on the Horizon heed the call
Judgments will affect One at all

A plethora of prophecies come to fruition
Education appreciable increases in tuition
Government funding is needed
Hidden true superseded

BLT webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Appreciable
California has a couple of measures on the ballot. One of them is for additional education funding they say it’s for making better buildings. However prop 98 was put into law that required California to use 40% of their budget on education and repairs. Now they’re asking for another 10 billion in bond, bonds are paid back with interest over 35 years so the return is 18 billion. We already owe 98 billion debt to big banks and investors. California doesn’t know how to manage your money. I’ve also observed a decline in enrollment from all grades. people leaving California.. what’s  alarming is there’s three bills that the Republicans say it’s a good thing we should vote for them.However, if you look a little further, those three are back by the Democrats auspicious and they’re the worst thing you would ever read let alone want to vote for. a”I don’t care who is promoting it. People should not take the quick version or sound bites and read between the lines. because this election really matters. we are electing three board members for the Board of Education. This hasgot  to be the lowest bottom barrel dwellers I’ve ever seen. One has a photo and next to her school desk it’s a mother for freedom. Crossed out .I had to look up that group  are for people who don’t want their children to learn *** in kindergarten inappropriate teachings . Meaning she’s against the parents. Moving. moving onto the next candidate, who has two felonies and has pending court issues. The next person brought a gun to work to show the other people( on the board of education( there’s a legal suit for that. Embezzlement it’s Cray crazy. I was hard-pressed to find one person out of the list with any Recognition of normality. No wonder our schools are messed up. it doesn’t matter what the position is it matters no more funding for schools. They Don’t teach our children reading, writing, and arithmetic, especially when they already have appropriate funding to do so and they’re not doing it. No more bills imposed laws that is supposed to make the government not spend inappropriately. Give them more money because they didn’t do it the first time. Color me frustrated. Vote early your vote counts
180 · Sep 2024
The Walk of Winter
CJ Sutherland Sep 2024
Sweater, weather
Pillows with feathers

He’s enamored she’s a beaut
Stun by her beauty, temporary mute

Falling in love
Fits like a glove

Soft down comforter covers
Perfect for young lovers

Pumpkin spice
Snuggling is nice

Flannel sheets
Cozy socks on cold feet

Warmth of a crackling fire
Family stories, while I retire

Fall asleep dreams feel my head
Wake up in the morning middle of my bed

Comfort, food ; *** roast, and beef stew
These are the winters I knew

Inspired song;

1) California Dreamin’
By The Mamas and The Papas
BLT Websters word of the day Challenge
Beaut 9-17-24
Some thing, outstanding one of a kind
A beautiful person
179 · Aug 2021
Read a GOOD BOOK
CJ Sutherland Aug 2021
Growing up
When we kids said
“IM BOARD”
our parent’s reply
“Read a GOOD BOOK”
Escaping to the pages for
adventure and delight
I was hooked.
A life time of reading
Excitement and anticipation.
Open the doors of
Barns and Noble
The smell of new books
permeates the air.
Close your eyes
Breath!
The quest for
Wisdom
One can learn
Anything
from a Book
The endless
Possibilities
Knowledge
Once obtained
No man can take
From you.
Paper back, hard back or
Leather bound
Text books
My favorite
Run your hand down her spine
Slowly open to feel
The ease at which
She presents her
Secrets.
The more difficult
The subject matter
The more rewarding
When you crack
Her inner truth.
That
Ah ha moment
When you grasp
The concepts
At the very foundation.
The day we stop
Seeking, Learning
Growing
Is the day
We die.
Have you read a
GOOD BOOK
LATELY !
I taught post secondary education at a technical school . 9 subjects. A two year AS Degree. I loved teaching. Helping single mother’s have a better life and career. Knowledge is a powerful tool.
179 · Aug 2024
Parenting Today Renku
CJ Sutherland Aug 2024
Two things I detest
A disrespectful child
Parent approval


Copious comments
In my mind, I hold my tongue
Lethargic parents

Impugn their motives
Wild child discipline
Capricious children




Inspired song
Evie Brat Music by MattyB Vlogs
YouTube 2021

A Renku is a haiku5-7-5 syllables
Using multiple poets. One poet makes a statement and the next poet will reply and so on…. In this exercise I am the poet on different days with a different mindset?
BLT webster’s Word of the Day
lethargic 8-19-24
Lethargic describes people who feel a lack of energy lack of interest, sluggish.

To watch a child completely out of control with the parents approval is insane. Woke parents without a clue of what to do.
Poem, written, 7–20 2–24, posted 8 – 16–24
179 · Sep 2024
Unfair favoritism
CJ Sutherland Sep 2024
I worked with Medical Dr’s (Bill collector)
They Call me the money protector
Many doctors are big on cronyism
Also equally unsettling nepotism

These are extreme situations
Degradation of employees separations
It creates division among the ranks
Inevitably staff implode, explodes, tanks

When the doctor’s manager is his wife
Happy wife, happy life, hide the knife
If the office Manager is the Dr’s best friend
Incompetence is something to comprehend

The wives make life a living hell
Dr’s Friend it’s too tricky to tell
Pretty young ignorant girls
Blonde silhouette Substantial curls

Perhaps too happy or had too much to say
rubbed the wife or friend the wrong way
Dr caught in the middle of the rift
Favoritism with a twist cynicisms mist

Money is always the bottom line crime
Hand in the cookie jar overtime
Then an attempt to shift the blame
The stories differ yet remains the same

It’s hard to see what’s in front of our face
Lack of honor,  Truth without a trace
Emerging out the other side
Gossip lies backstabbing pride

Beware avoid this hellish nightmare
Self serving money hungry without a Care
Office politics traps and devilish mishaps
Avoid at all cost else your soul will be lost

When interviewed look for the signs
Ask questions have a backbone spine
You’re looking for the best work fit
Time spent in anguish, agony not worth it

Hindsight word to wise else your demise
Evil eyes no surprise when workplace dies
No amount of money is worth this abyss
Find the right fit workplace,  peace Bliss

Inspired songs
1) Bad case of loving you( Doctor, doctor)
By Robert Palmer
2) money by Pink Floyd
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Cronyism unfair, favoritism to one)
I worked in toxic situations before. Family friends, taking money, blaming others why jealous jealous pretty staff accusing The girls are turning the doctors head or worse falling into the doctors bed. Walking on eggshells no amount of money it’s worth it. The second Pitfall, If they’re doing a Computer conversion transition will be a cluster mess up, walk away no run away. Not much else to say.

Bonus word
Nepotism unfair favoritism to kinships
179 · Jul 2024
Sanctimonious Tanka
CJ Sutherland Jul 2024
Smart and sincere not
              Moral Sanctimonious
                   It’s my way or the highway
                      I’m right and you’re wrong
                             We can do this all day long
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Sanctimonious 7-24-24
Describe the behavior as thought they are more superior than others. Suggest a moral superiority.
178 · Mar 2024
Ad Hominem Wars Tanka Haiku
CJ Sutherland Mar 2024
Politic’s keep scores

Play Ad Hominem wars

Code of Ethics gone

Spew Dirt, Salacious Slander

Government Gerrymander



A Tanka Haiku
Is identified as five lines
31. Syllables.
5-7-5-7-7
There may be different literary devices, personification, metaphors and similes
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day 3 – 6–24
Ad Hominem refers to attacks on an opponents character, rather than their point of view. Adjective it is seen as bad and wrong
178 · Jun 2024
Napoleon complex Haiku
CJ Sutherland Jun 2024
Pug fight flight complex
Two Rottweilers off their leash
Pug shaking, like leaf
6-9-24
I have a small dog ( miniature pincher – poodle mix) A min- pin -poo who was bit by The neighbors Rottweilers a long time ago. Now while walking at the park, if my dog sees a bigger dog either, he will bark ready to 6-6-9-24
fight or he will shake and freeze.
it’s definitely a process of re-socializing and getting him over his fear
CJ Sutherland Jan 20
I’m not getting any younger
Yet still filled with this hunger

Building apprehension
Ignoring the weighted of contention

I would never fully rise to be celebrated
There is a better chance I would be humiliated.

Hesitation left an uneasy feeling ,
So many emotions, my heart wheeling

Excuses filled my mind
Any reason not to try, I could find

Throwing caution to the wind
Head first, Jump in , I will begin

My fingers, will hurt, bleed I might cry
Do or die I have to try

I will never be a virtuoso
What does it matter? What do I know?

In comparison My talent minuscule
Is this an exercise in being cruel?

The passion, I see in musician’s eyes
If I possess any at all its lies

it’s delusions of-grandeur
Time will tell this exercise is hell

Defeated before I’ve begun.
So many songs unsung

It’s near the top of my bucket list.
All my life I wished
Something I always wanted to learn
I need to have my turn

Armed with desire
My excitement could get much higher

Pushing all the negativity aside
I am ready for the wild ride

I took time researching;
Brand, quality ease of use
My plan seemed full proof

What instrument do I want to play?
I don’t know what to ask for what to say

Picking perfection with a novice brain
Price point these questions can drive me insane

Stay focused dedication, perseverance
A tutor, mentor, much needed guidance

It’s never too late to try something new
I purchased a new instrument

It sits in the corner,
In a pristine new case
What a waste
Now what

Song inspired;

1) This old guitar
By John Denver

2) Sing a song
By Karen Carpenter

FYI
Every time I get a new instrument a family member wants it So , I give it away.
Then I start this madness again.
Procrastination strikes again
BLT Webster’s Word of the day challenge
1-17-25 apprehension refers to the fear that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
1-18-25 minuscule is described as something very small in size
1-19-25 Virtuoso a person who does something very skillful often specifically to refer to a skillful musician
177 · Jul 2024
Choices Problems Solutions
CJ Sutherland Jul 2024
The rumblings of government
People say, “Joe Biden is too old”
“He’s not up to the job”, truth be told. Hypothetically say he steps down
the next in line is Kamala Harris
She speaks in rhyme . Embarrassed.

she laughs like a hyena that’s a start,
she makes Joe Biden look smart.
running for office, she told protesters
to continue fighting She makes a gesture
(Uncontrollable laughter) rightly so
they’re not gonna stop Nor should they.

BLM will continue after the election
Kamala and Many in her party created, a get out of jail fund For the rioters,
Those arrested In most cases,
Were back on the street in 90 minutes looting and shooting again for reparation

Recruiting stealing , destroying businesses
Lite fires Burning down police stations
Desecrating, statues, monuments, history
The sounds appearance of an insurrection.
Kamala Harris Resign or Impeach
A harsh lesson to teach

American is on her knees
Terrorist Isis,Hzbollah  Hamas
Illegal immigrants made their way here
Open borders, there is a third choice
President pro temp nominated  2023
On paper, she sounds really good.

Patty Murray Democrat Washington DC has held various positions and has been reelected five times Elementary school, teacher mother. The media ask Kamala questions she is constantly non-plus
really?  not a good look for a president

At this point, what could it hurt
Open mind Consider all options
Americans want an amiable leader
Democrats party in peril
We need a road to recovery
We are at a precipice
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Amiable 7-20-24
Friendly, sociable, congenial, pleasing admirable
Nonplus 7-19-24
Someone is perplexed or in other words who caused them to be at a loss of what to do or say, or think
If you
Dress for success
Wear nice clothes
People will talk
Oh Your one of
Those
Putting on airs
Supercilious
Conceited
Egotistical
Know it all
High and mighty
Self important
Attention seeker


If you
Dress simply
People will talk
You’re broke
Have no money
Lackadaisical
Pitifully
Poor

If you are
Successful
Prosperous
Thriving
Flourishing
People will talk
Inauspicious
Show off
Rubbing
in our face
Purposely
Making
Us look
Bad

If you are
Struggling
Phlegmatic
Unsentimental
People will talk
You’re
Languishing
Weak minded
In
The
Wrong
Place

If you
Speak
your mind
People will talk
You are
Superannuated
Antiquated
Archaic
Obsolete
Rude
Various
Opinions
Willingly
Conclude

If you
Stay Quiet
Quiescent
Indolent
Languorous
People will talk
You’re sulking
Brooding
Pouting
Self-deluding
Tantrum

Life is
convoluted
Opinions
Are like
Elbows
Everybody
Has one

No matter
What you
Do today
People
Will always
Have something
To say


Don’t let
Negativity
Rule the day
Mind over matter
Nonsense
Should not have
A voice
A choice
Useless chatter

Ignorant
Inconsequential
Naysayers
Are
Irrelevant
Players

As long
As
God
Is pleased
With what
You do
And say

Who cares
What people
Say
In the
Light of day

Live
God’s
Way



Inspired songs  

1) it’s complicated 2002
By Avril Lavigne
2) complicated 2004
By Joss Ross
BLT word of the day challenge
May 3 2025 sleuth, sleuthing
To Sloan is to carefully or methodically search for information, or to act as a detective
May 1, 2025
Convoluted
Something described as convoluted is very complicated and difficult to understand or has many curves and turns
CJ Sutherland Aug 2024
From dust we are born and
to dust we shall return

Born in diapers
And in diapers.
We shall return

However, that’s not
Even our biggest concern
We learn to rationalize,
Soon it’ll be our turn

However that’s not the
worst of what is to come
Memory loss, the ultimate cost
Dementia, Senility, Alzheimer’s

True it doesn’t happen to all, Just some
Who answers the call
However evidently nobody
will know their outcome

Add in a myriad of
other ailments for good measure
The word “walk” at your own leisure  
has a new meaning it’s rather demeaning

Each person’s, inevitable fate
Life’s journey Check Mate
We learn to slow our gate
turn another page life’s gage

Yes we celebrate OLD AGE Ironic, plutonic
Chronic, crate paper crinkles like her skin
Beautiful hands now liver spots wrinkle
and black balloons they think that’s funny. Oh don’t fret honey. Just the Young ins  

They don’t understand
What it means to have a good day
No significant illness’ to speak of today
Why do we celebrate so many ask
Living with ailments, is a laborious task

We celebrate;
The life we’ve livedThe love we give
The things we’ve seen places we’ve been
The people we’ve known death shown

The things we’ve done While having fun
In our prime, another day another time
We were bigger than life, 10 feet tall
Even the gladiators eventually fall

Nobody ever ages gracefully  
Most Fight it every step of the way
The Golden years worldly and wise
We shrink before our very eyes
Our skin wrinkles sagging
The immense pain ever nagging

The wonders of age and getting old.
A word of the wise don’t believe the lies
It’s not for the weak meek its for the bold
I will age gracefully I’ll never be too old
I have the propensity for living life large

Even knowing
Sickness will bring  us to our knees
“The JUICE  is worth the squeeze”

Inspired song
1) Grandma‘s hands by Bill Withers
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Propensity8-20-24
Propensity often intense, natural inclination, tendency, Appiness. Usually irresistible inclination, example propensity for the inability of risk.
Does anyone ever notice the older you get the  term old changes.. I remember at the age of 10 I thought 20 was old. At the age of 30 I thought 50 was old now it’s 63. I think it is old. Interesting that Worker moves. age is a relative concept you’re as young as you feel keep it real
176 · Apr 2024
Term Ordinary People
CJ Sutherland Apr 2024
I heard this term recently, and
it knocked me off kilter
I look at life through a different filter
So I have to say it blew me away

What are Ordinary People ?
Every person I know
I only see Extraordinarily

Webster’s Dictionary defines
Ordinary People as
not special in any way. Normal

What is a Normal Person ?
Webster’s  Dictionary defines
Normal as
Having no serious, physical or mental
health problems

By these definitions being
Normal and Ordinary is an anomaly
I don’t know anyone over the age of 55 that does not have some issue. Autonomy

Everyone over 55 that I know has had Illustrious careers; Astronauts , Doctors,
Soldiers , and even Mothers and Fathers

Those who refer to Ordinary People
As middle class in a cast system,
Of the bourgeoisie society are The problem

It’s note worthy to mention Webster’s has
Changed the definitions of their words to
Appease a nonsensical group of people
As life goes on we try to make sense of it all
175 · Jan 23
Republic
CJ Sutherland Jan 23
Yesterday The Republic died
People cheered I cried
People will learn the meaning of fear

The Constitution is shredding
Placing corrupt judges without vetting
The judges breaking the law

We are court witnesses of what we saw
Emotions both sides, raw
The outcome sticks in my craw

This is not hyperbole
Ruffle feathers and see
It’s a statement of fact
Society will turn their back

To hate, or hate sake
Is to create a world you want to make
Is to cut off your nose to spite your face
unable to see the truth,
if it bit you in the backside place
6-10-24 The day after Trump was found guilty in a sham trial that broke so many laws. The chance of getting a fair trial in New York is virtually zero. But every time they go after Trump more people vote for him and change sides because if they could do that too and ex-president, they could certainly do that to you and I.
CJ Sutherland Nov 2024
Top Psephology

           Played out on election night

                              Who will win their fight


Inspired song
Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen 1984
BLT word of the day
Psephology 11-5-25
The scientific study of election
174 · Jun 2024
Stealing Ideas Haiku
CJ Sutherland Jun 2024
Plagiarism is
A mediocre copy
Brainiac’s Genius
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Brainiac 6-17-23
A very intelligent person
174 · Sep 2017
Sunday's child
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
Sundays child
full of grace
always a smile
on his face
Longing for a lady
Who wears black lace
Town between
Good and evil
Wanting to be
Within Gods place
Sundays child
Full of grace
Dedicated to a friend of mine who had been married and divorced four times and his children with all of them at least the fifth one he was engaged to. he asked me what was wrong with him I Have known him for 19 years
174 · Sep 2017
Natures Depression
CJ Sutherland Sep 2017
Natures depression
Anger no place to go
Disaster relief
This was my first
Haiku
3 lines
5  syllables first line
7 middle line
5 last line
Think tsunami
172 · Mar 2024
Ignorant Trusting Haiku
CJ Sutherland Mar 2024
We’re All Ignorant
Until the Day We are not
Then We learn a lot
Haibun Haiku
A personal reflection 3/7/24
CJ Sutherland Jan 2024
The biggest hit, and the only remarkable one outside of their native Canada
of this ending band
formerly known  as Staccatos
Reach number three on the billboards
At the time there was a revolt against this song, but later generations saluted the song They were a band before their time. This song has stayed with me my entire life listen to the  music; these are the lyrics.

Song by; The five man electrical band

And the sign said long-haired freaky people need not apply
so I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask him why?
he said you look like a fine young understanding young man
I think you’ll do
so I took off my head and said,
imagine that!, me working for you

Sign, sign, everywhere sign blocking out
the scenery breaking my mind
do this ,don’t do that,
Can’t you read the sign?

And the sign said everybody
caught trespassing, will be shot on sight
So I jumped up on the fence and I yelled
at the house. Hey what gives you the right to put up with Fence to keep me out
or to keep mother nature in
if God were here, he tell you to your face man you’re some kind of sinner

Sign, sign, everywhere sign blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
do this, don’t do that,
Can’t you read the sign

Now hey you Mr., can’t you read
you have to have a shirt and tie to get a seat. You can’t even watch you know you can’t eat you’re not supposed to be here design says you got to have a membership card to get inside. Ugh.

Sign sign everywhere a sign blocking out the scenery breaking my mind do this don’t do that. Can’t you read the sign

And the sign, said, everybody welcome come in ,kneel down and pray,
but when they passed around the plate
at the end of it all,
I didn’t have a penny to pay
so I got me a pen and a paper and
I made up my own little sign
I said, thank you Lord for thinking
about me. I’m alive and doing fine.

Sign, sign, everywhere, sign blocking out the scenery breaking my mind do this don’t do that. Can’t you read the sign
This is a one hit wonder from the five man electrical band from 1969
This sums up the 60s peace and love
Hippie, flower, Child, after the Vietnam war, the younger generation was not going to go along with the status quo anymore. There was a lot of drugs, and the new music called rock ‘n’ roll. But this song is the embodiment of that era.
171 · May 2024
Fable On Memory Lane
CJ Sutherland May 2024
There is a  place
On memory lane
The blind can see
Jesus healed the lame

The tree of life
In the center of it all
Grows 12 different fruit
Summer winter, spring, and fall

Purity rules, each and every day
Peace of mind in every way
Evils of earth are all forgotten
Depravity, every thought rotten

Only love prevails
Memory lane exist
In folklore, fables ,fairytales

Here on earth, we learn our worth
Can be found in Jesus Christ first
John 3:16
A fable uses, puns, and metaphors, describing a subject meant to be guessed by the listener to teach a moral
Fables use puns, metaphors, they introduced us to rhyming mnemonics, allegorical use of language.
I’m exploring and different types of poetry
171 · Apr 2023
Reciprocate in-kind
CJ Sutherland Apr 2023
I make a commitment
to each person
who will read my work.
I will reciprocate
A poem for a poem.

If you are interested in critiques,
To help you learn and grow,
I can send those privately.

I ask, only this;
Please fill out your bio.
They really do help
the reader understand
you’re point of view.
.
I would not critique
a 15 year old
In the same way
I would a 75 year old.

To fully grasp a poem
Is different from
a 20 year old than
a 50-year-old.

Every 10 years
your life
changes 100%.

The day you
were born to
age 10 is
easy to see.

Age 10 to
age 20 again
100% change
you get the picture!

So I  say,
I am in
The Second year
of my sixth life

Your bio matters,
so please, fill it out
171 · May 2023
Re-imagined
CJ Sutherland May 2023
Think again
We live in a
world of pretend
Feelings over fact
Pay another tax
Because I feel this way
There’s nothing left to say

                The real world.                   
  Just, let that go
Life under the rainbow.

Told what to know
Told what to think
Have a drink

Chose the;
Red pill or the Blue
Illuminati is in charge
without a moral clue
Appropriate pronouns
We Mimic like clowns,
free speech is dead
Hijacked
In our very head
AI Recording
Everything said

The Puppet Master
Pulls the strings
Controlling from
Behind the scenes

Big tech, Media,
Rewording  
the encyclopedia
The dark swamp
Giving
Talking prompts
Watching every
Blink of the eye
False distraction,
To catch a lie

Daily news suppressed
Social outbreaks, re-dressed
Mostly peaceful protest
Perhaps The masses will see
what government deems
Social norms should be
The end of future dreams
Wake up America before it’s to late
Judgement upon us, except your fate
CJ Sutherland Aug 2024
That would be, unique
What if they could actually think?
The brain may never
have another drink

As a baby, our hands had
A mind of their own
As a child, we played hand games
Patty cake, Rock paper scissors,
shadow puppets
Now all grown so much life,
our hands have shown

“Cogito ergo sum”
I think therefore, I am
(Rene Descartes )

The Thumb
short in stature yet
strong and In charge;
Thumbs up A OK

Pointer
taskmaster; sensitive
Gets the most action,
Will Go where  
NO other fingers  Can
We don’t want to know
where that finger has been Yuck

Middle
The tallest of the bunch
Can hold the most lunch
Claim to fame; one finger solute,
flash the bird, The royal flip off
With both hands( in stereo)
Means( A louder gesture)

The ring finger
admired by all
adorns important jewelry,
Elegant extension
when the Ring is Presented

The pinky,
The Dainty lady accessibly fastidious easily disgusted, small, delicate pretty
Proper etiquette;
when drinking a cup of tea,
extend the pinky for all to see

Individually there’s a fraction of their force when they’re united they can pick up
extremely heavy objects
Hold their might tight even in a fight

This is a very special day
Their Wedding Day
A celebration of hoopla
Things are not going as planned
There seems to be a little drama
when it comes to getting their nails painted

Ring finger said to *******
You smudged my nail color on your back
Stop moving “

******* said “I didn’t move. I’m right here.””You keep wiggling about Stop it”
Ring finger” I have to be perfect. Everybody will be looking at my new ring” “ there will be pictures as well!”
The smudge looks like hell”

******* well, it’s taking
too long to dry! I’m losing my cool
I’m gonna flip the bird.”.
I am large and in charge,
I need to be heard”

Ring finger” all the days
you choose to act up really today”
This is not the time to play!”

All the fingers started
wiggling in unison
to dry the nail polish quicker

The polish is removed
from the other parts of the hand,
The day continues on as planned.”

When the groom slowly slides the sparkling diamond on Ring Finger
she whispers,” I will wear this ring forever”

Both hands ready for the dance,
A spin, the dancing dip
It’s been a long courtship
It all starting with
an innocent gesture
The groom whispered in her ear
I want to Holding your hands
For the rest of our lives


Songs inspired
1) I want to hold your hand by the Beatles
2-26-1966

2) we’ve only just begun by
Karen Carpenter and
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

3) Through the years (lyrics )and song
by Kenny Rogers Original 1981

4) Put your hand in the hand
by ocean 1971 original live
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
8-4-24 hoopla to make a commotion, bustle, or fuss.

2-24-24 my husband gave me the title. He had the poem in his Myndzeye. But when I started telling him about my process and my version, he asked me if I can write a poem more than once.
A personal challenge
Use my title and make your own version. Let me know when it’s done and I’ll post it on my page.
170 · Sep 2024
Karen’s Quality of Life
CJ Sutherland Sep 2024
Karen returns home from her doctor visit
She has been crying . What is it?
Darren, her husband asked
Getting to the truth his task

Karen whispered as if speaking the words out loud would make it true she knew
“ I have terminal cancer it’s not good”
Darren Shocked to attention yelled NO

As if saying NO would make it so
there’s got to be a way give us another day
If his hug could make it go away,
Her eyes lowered “Insurance will not pay”
Darren “there has to be another plan play”

Karen is strangely, subdued Serene calm
The doctor’s news was a ticking time bomb
Darren couldn’t see her silent cries
Yelling, begging a million why, lord why!

The doctor asked; what do you want out of life? Cancer in a plateau how much farther do you expect to go? California favors assisted suicide Dr. Kavorkjan will reside

There is one answer the only answer we have left. This will put our love to the test.
The doctor will make her comfortable
let nature take its course Doctor knows best

Karen suggests they get a divorce
Releasing the Financial burden of course
expensive medical bills, Cancer kills.
Her cancer is curable with the right pills

But the insurance company will not pay.
If she were rich, nothing left to say,
have the surgery continue on life’s way.
But for Karen. This’ll be her final day.

She could be saved if she had the money,
If her insurance would paid oh honey
The surgery going under the knife
The only thing that could save her life

it’s considered elective ,exploratory.
The same old song and dance new story
Insurance owns all the players in this crime.
Standard denial. appeal process takes time

Time’s lost luxury Go home and Die!.
What is the benefit of living?
A little more time to say goodbye?
Downside; To watch life’s gruesome cry

unrecognizable changes Ravaged by pain
The cost of keeping their loved one insane  Inhumane fact is it comes down to money, ironic, fortuitous, perhaps life it’s not funny

what is your life worth? Are you worth  more dead on this earth  then alive?
Strange contemplation Troubled revelation
to grapple what is the drive and why strive

Karen’s memory
safely ensconced behind protective glass.
My sister had Grace pose class now passed
Her name a smear campaign Society blame
Choose another name to attack those insane

Inspired song
Karen by The Beach Boys 1969
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Ensconce(ed) 9-4-24
Firmly placed or hidden, shelter, and concealed

I take offense when people call
a crazy woman, Karen
My sisters name was Karen RIP;
She was a good decent person
CJ Sutherland Feb 13
If you are married
Or in love
Valentine’s Day
Comes from Cupid
Angel’s up above

Deliveries to work are gifts
Of candy and flowers
Evening plan a romantic
Candlelight dinner for hours
Followed by
Hugs and endless kisses
Many sweet untold wishes

However if you are
Alone or single,
This day is an empty heart
That sadly tingles

One by one coworkers
Received their deliveries
Their glances of pity
Only added to my misery

Their words of sympathy
Only deep into my pain
Hoping the day would end
Before I go insane

Now
Hurtful memories of
Old versus New
Dinner for one
Instead of two

There was a time when
I too receive my deliveries
Before the days of
Now and my misery

My gallant man,
love of my life
Did not come home.
I spent Valentine’s Day
Staring out the window alone
Waiting by the phone.

I cried myself to sleep
I thought life
Could not be more bleak
For a young newly wed wife.

He came home
After a night at the bar
He had bought Flowers
But left them in the car

The next day
When I awoke,
Not a word between us,
We spoke

He had retrieved the
Flowers from the car
placed them in a vase.
You should’ve seen
The look on my face.

A dozen
Once beautiful
long stemmed roses
Had wilted
Like our love
Empty and jilted

I silently took
A pair of scissors
From the drawer
by the bed

Cutting the roses
one by one
At the base
Of the bulb head

My husband
Said nothing,
Only
Shook his head

He
Closed his eyes
To the
Shame blame
Game

I set the
Scissors down
Without
Placing blame

I made it clear
I never want roses
On valentine’s Day  
We never spoke of it.
What was the point
Anyway

Valentine’s Day
Is a memory
Rubbed in my face,
Bittersweet sadness
Takes love’s place

Today 2025
42 Valentine ‘s Days
We whether together

We have learned to let
Our hurt go
Only then
Can we trust and grow

Our love
Carried us through
All the turbulence
If you only knew

A relationship
Takes it’s toll
Staying together
Instead of letting go

People ask,
what is your secret
for staying together?

Forgiveness patience
And unconditional love
Are gracious gifts
From God
In Heaven above

Every Day is
Valentine’s Day





Inspired songs
1970-1989
These are love songs from my life
There were too many others to list.
These will suffice.

1)she believes in me Kenny Rogers
2) always and forever Kenny Rogers
3) through the years Kenny Roger
4) in our old age, Kenny Rogers


Footnote
The first draft of this poem was written in 1987. It was our second year married. I rewritten this poem in several different versions and formats tweaking it along the way still never finding it right but each time getting a little closer to perfect perfection.
BLT Webster’s Word of the day challenge
2-13-25 gallant
Someone or some thing described as gallant is very courageous and brave Gallant is also sometimes used to be large and impressive or to describe someone who has or shows politeness and respect for women
167 · Dec 2017
Thanks Giving
CJ Sutherland Dec 2017
‘‘Twas the morning of thanksgiving
And all through the house
We’re the clanking of pots and pans
Heard even by the spouse

The dogs lay nestled  in their beds with care
Hoping the feast soon be there
the scent of,yams ,cranberries and casseroles filled the air
preperation covered the countertops everywhere

all of  sudden I heard a crash
I jumped from my Chair,
ran quick as a flash
potatoes boiled over, ready to mash

All the food hot and read
Any request my hands were steady
They all line up with cheer
Time to Eat was finally here

The serving spoons neatly in a row
Four hours of prep time
for a five minute eating crime
Sale ads in hand, it’s time to go

Standing in lines for the best Black Friday deals
Planning my attack of what l need to buy
In the blink of an eye,  I had all the enticing frills
If  I hurry another shopping line I can try

Exhausted from a long hard day cooking and shopping  
my legs burning, I feel like dropping
As I fell asleep my thought out of sight
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night
I wrote this on scraps of paper Thanksgiving day while I was cooking and while in line but I hadn’t got a chance to post it until now
166 · Jun 2024
Wisdom Modern Haiku
CJ Sutherland Jun 2024
With age comes wisdom
Supersedes racial hatred
Love peace forgiveness
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
6-22-24
Supersede
To take the place of someone or some thing that is considered old inferior or no longer useful. Synonymously with replaced or displaced.
CJ Sutherland Nov 2023
Dog ransack trash can
Scattered all over kitchen
Dog now in Dog house
Websters has a word of the day,. And BLT is the one compiling this. Once you posted on your site contact him this is my first one don’t know much other than that
He who has the most
Toys, superfluous. Excess  
By end of life wins

Search strive bleed for it
When we obtain what we seek
hollow emptiness

Unquenchable thirst
Contentment within our grasp
Always wanting more



Footnote
Modern Haiku
A series set up progressional
Three lines  syllable count 5-7-5

I don’t know if this poem
Is staying within the
parameters of a Haiku

It could be 
A Tercet is a unit of poetry
that contains three lines stanza

A Tercet can be a
Complete poem or just
A part of a larger poem
Rhymed or unrhymed

So HP, what do you think?
A Tercet or a Modern Haiku



Inspired song;

1) More More More
By Andrea True 1976

2) Money
By Pink Floyd 1973



As soon as we have, the thing we thought would make us happy, we move on to something else in that too becomes our drive and focus dangling the carrot in front of your face, changing the rules along the way
CJ Sutherland Sep 2024
An idiom
Is an expression in the usage of language that is peculiar in of itself.
In having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined words.

Introduction to poetry states;
Avoid Clichés, like the plague
Using idiomatic phrases in poetry
is usually not advisable.

Let’s run through a few;

Let’s cut the suit to fit the cloth
Action speaks louder than words
A penny for your thoughts
A penny saved is a penny earned

At the drop of a hat
Curiosity killed the cat
Better late than never
Out of the frying pan into the fire

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Once in a blue moon
I’m live’n high cotton
Hang in there

Let’s get the show on the road
No time like the present,
Let’s not split hairs
On a wild goose chase

Bite the bullet
No guts, no glory
Don’t beat around the bush
I’ll Spill the beans

Under the weather
Your Barking up the wrong tree
It’s raining cats and dogs,
Your bark is worse than your bike

Break a leg
Insult to injury
Don’t stab me in the back
Idioms stick out like a sore thumb

Are you beginning to see the light?

I’m on a roll
A Rolling Stone gathers no moss
Killing two birds with one stone
Hiding in plain sight

Speak of the devil
Come Hell or High water
The devil is in the details
Going down in flames

A blessing in disguise
Don’t count the chickens before they hatch
Go Back to the drawing board
I’ll cross that bridge when we get to it

Not your cup of tea
*** calling the kettle black
Jump on the bandwagon
Throw caution to the wind

Every cloud has a silver lining
Get your head out of the clouds
On cloud nine
Walking on thin ice

Cut me some slack
Get off my back
Let me off the hook
I Finished by the skin of my teeth

I hit the nail on the head
My mind running a million miles a minute
A mind, is a terrible thing to waste
Waste not want not

It’s up in the air
Throw the baby out with the bathwater
Let’s call a today
It’s time to hit the sack

If you know any idioms that I have not mentioned Leave them in comments

Inspired song
If you could read my mind
By Gordon Lightfoot
When I was at the University, clichés
were drilled in our head as faux pas
A respectable poet does not put in poetry.
As an older student who always questioned absolutes, I had to ask why?
What about free verse poetry
I was told even in the lack of structure is structure it depends on what kind of poet you want to be
I considered the source. My professors all had
10 year. In both American and British literature
. I heard the phrase many times in these classes; rules are not meant to be broken.
But the whole purpose of traditional poetry is that there are rules that make each type of poem what it is. That’s why I love poetry,
The structure.
But it is good to be bad sometimes lol
This is my rebellion poem
I’m letting my freak flag fly😎
162 · Jan 2024
Grandmother’s Story
CJ Sutherland Jan 2024
Grandmother,
I want to know everything about you.
You’ve had many experiences in your lifetime. The simple life when ice cream was just a dime
From your favorite childhood vacation, to the birth of your first child,
These moments shaped the course of
Your History.

Some events you knew
would change your life,
while others, you didn’t realize
the full impact until years later.
They each played a role
and need to be shared.

For many families,
the younger generations
aren’t interested in their elders,
until it’s too late to ask them.
While Grandma may Think
she has forgotten the stories.
All her sadness, joy and glories.
As They start to pour from Grandma’s heart, she recants so many other tales of woe, She’s been holding for a while
Her secret life  in tow
Grand adventure
A twinkle in her eye
She remembers the days gone by

For others, the stories were told by the children and grandchildren, who forgot the most important intricate details.

Places like Barnes & Noble offer books, such as my grandmother’s life.
Grandma I want to know everything
about you. and many others.
These Books have prompts that helps the writing process. When finished , you will have a complete Bound Book of your life.

Now your documented history can be  handed down through the generations. Your words, your experiences, your story forever remembered.
You could write a journal without buying a book. IF you have the tenacity to finish it.

Write your Journey in Several Chapters,
Each reflecting different
periods of your life.;
Childhood  ,Adolesence, Adulthood,work, Marriage and Parenting , Empty Nesting,  Grandparents. Middle age and Wisdom

Within each section, there are events and
Advice and things you’ve learned. From lighthearted to serious.
You’ll remember the trials and the triumphs, the laughter, the sorrow
  Your details will provide a well rounded view of your life. There is no wrong way
to write your story.

Include as much genealogy as possible
Who is in your family tree?
What, When, Where and Why
What made you laugh?
Who made you cry?
How you handled it all,  the mystery .
These are the Fabrics of your History.

Most Grandparents have
A box full of pictures.
Your Book could be A Story
about each of those pictures.
Write them down less you forget,
and your legacy Lost forever.

If Grandma cannot write, perhaps a family member can write her story down while grandma tells it.
A bonding moment
that will never be forgotten.
A tape recorder is another option.
Then you have Grandma‘s voice as well..

This can be your
New Year’s Resolution
You always had a solution,
and when you’re gone,
Your storywill live On

Postscript (PS)
This is not just for grandma, grandpa.
In fact it’s for all of you. I started writing a journal at the age of 12
I have 90+ journals to date, and a complete story spanning 50+ years.not only of myself, but all of those around me.
my eight brothers and sisters and my parents. Noble house wants first look when completed , but told me I had to change the names of everybody to protect the guilty and we’re all guilty ( Plus, nobody would sign off if it puts them in a negative light) That’s not what my goal. To publish for Publish sake. It’s for my family. Who, like most families have moved away plus they’re all in their own little bubble life. Honestly, I don’t really know any of them anymore. Yes we talk we spend time together but as we get older, family members lose the intimacy.( well, unless perhaps (sisters)
Journaling saved my life in  many ways. Well ,all the ways a person can be saved.
Poets can copy their work off of this site, compile it into their own book. Whether they publish or not, it shows progression of time, and is also a journey of life. Forever bound in your own book. As a testament to what you thought, most importantly, that you were
alive and the voice of your generation
160 · Dec 2023
Slang phrases
CJ Sutherland Dec 2023
This generation has taught
us new words:
Victimization  
Humanization
Feminism
Activist
cultural creation,
social justice
Racial injustice
trigger warnings
safe, space
identity politics
cancel culture
white privilege
Black power
Equity
culture appropriations
Apartheid
Infidel
Anti fada
From the mountains to the sea
Exterminate genocide

Have you noticed
things come in
catastrophic waves
something new
risers up, crashing down
like A tsunami
that Slowly dissipates.
******, death, ****,
time to reflect, understand
What it really means
remains to be seen
Then the quiet before
the storm until, the next thing
Something wicked, this Way comes.

What is society preparing us for?
Is it’s by design? If so, whose design?
No doubt, we will have more
slang phrases to follow
It seems as if we were to be kept distracted, so we don’t see what’s going on behind the scenes. If we’re fighting with each other, we can’t see or focus on what the rest of the world is doing. We need to wake up we need to understand, nefarious people want to steal our land.
160 · Jul 2024
Inevitable Modern Haiku
CJ Sutherland Jul 2024
A Catastrophe
Guarantees change forever
Broken eggs happen
Reality, Webster’s Word of the Day
Catastrophe7-23-25
A monumental tragic event and utter failure
The rise and fall for the world to see
Born Cassius Clay, at the age of 22
Changed his name to Muhammad Ali
Boxer and civil activist a loud presence to be

Ali won the heavyweight title three times
He used poetry to disparage his opponent’s
He was famous for many thought provoking
Quips Quotes metaphors and antidotes

He was frequently cited as
“The greatest heavyweight champion of all time”
Ali considered Sugar Ray Robinson to be the greatest and praised his boxing ability and skill

Ali’s career spanning 20 years 1960 to 1981
After Muhammad Ali retired he did not become
An impresario because He famously refused
Induction into the US Army during Vietnam War.

Citing his religious beliefs as a Muslim, and was Subsequently stripped of his boxing title and band From boxing in 1967 for three years. Returning.
Ali won the heavyweight title twice

Inspired Songs
1)Black Superman (the Muhammad Ali song)  
By TheB17Barrage 1975 YouTube

2) We Are The Champions 1977
By Queen

Footnotes
The top 8 quotes, although there are many more

1) Float like a butterfly, stinging like a bee, his hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see
2) If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can be Leave It – then I can achieve it
3) Impossible is temporary
4) I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was.
5) A man who has no imagination has no wings
6) It’s not bragging if you can back it up
7) I should be a postage stamp. That’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.
8) He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life
BLT Websters, where does the day challenge?
April 6, 2025 Impresario  an impresario is a person who manages, puts on, or sponsors a performance or other entertainment, such as a concert, play, or sporting event
CJ Sutherland Jul 2024
A random act of kindness
Imagine a better life a better world
one we can all be proud of
A  pipe dream,Perhaps
But what if?We gave

A random act of  kindness
to just one person Imagine!
Lives changed Love is in the air
forgiveness everywhere
Peace in every heart It ‘s plausible.

Where do we start?
A friend,A neighbor, The homeless
People don’t bother to see them.
Driving I saw a man sitting on the ground
Holding a sign with three letters on it VET

A small dulcet voice said, “help him”
as I passed him by Do I  turn around?
That would require 10 minutes
on the freeway out of my way.

I reasoned, On the way back,I bought
lunch and a cold bottled water excited
I hoped The man would still be there
But Scary Thoughts creeped in what if?
When I roll down the window to let the outside in, something bad happens

it’s a Quandary I look like easy prey
Friend or Foe,In Today’s climate, it’s dangerous,On the side of the road, by a freeway offramp I honked my horn.

Heart pounding I unrolled the window
I asked “What Branch of military Did you serve? “Army first battalion infantry
He snapped to, pop tall, and smiled
He had one tooth a thin ***** body,

  I saw A HERO,with respect and dignity. I thanked him for serving our country. I
Apologized for my meager attempt to make it OK. He asked,” I saw you before what made you come back? I heard a beautiful dulcet voice I said God told me to help you

He studied me for a moment Then grinned
God bless you, he said, as he walked away
I wondered Who was helping who. Do onto others, as you would have them do unto you. That man bled in battle to defend us

A random act of kindness will feed your soul Don’t let the right hand know
what your left hand is doing
Offer generosity in silence of others

Don’t help somebody and boast about  
how good you are
Your rewards are not of this world
You may not think it matters to the person you’re helping But what if it does?
“What would Jesus do? “ WWJD

Inspired songs
1) We Are The World
  By many famous singers
U.S.A for Africa 1985

2) Lean On Me 1972 by Bill Withers

3) Put Your Hand In The Hand
by Ocean 1971
BLT word of the day challenge
dulcet 7-28-24
Sweet to the taste, pleasing to the ear generally agreeable

RAOK acronym for random act of kindness or ARK a random kindness . If you think about it, when God destroyed the Earth in Noah’s day, he used to random act of kindness for the animals, and those God deemed worthy.
CJ Sutherland Nov 2024
Four brothers four sisters
Scraped knees and blisters

Siblings are many things
Playing hard sports brings

Our Family Ethics Code
Parenting, guidance unfold

No snooping, privacy respected
Valid points never rejected 

Don’t read other’s journals or
Leave the seat up in the ******

No’s know No Bounds

Listening on others conversations
There is no honor among thieves

No cheating, stealing.or lying,
Whining ,tantrums, Pretend crying

You have two ears and one mouth
Listen twice as much as you speak

These life lessons help each Child
To extricate them As they grow

Family Values, what they know


Inspired songs;
1) cats in the cradle
By Harry Chapin, 1974

2) if I could see the world
through the eyes of a child
By Patsy Cline, 1958
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day Challenge
Extricate 11-2-2024
Someone or some thing is to free or remove an entanglement or difficulty such as a trap or difficult conversation
158 · Apr 16
Identity crisis
CJ Sutherland Apr 16
It’s not talked about in Hollywood
Certainly not among the pretty people
I’m referring to when an actor actress in bodies a role so well you generally don’t recognize them

I’m referring to their acting being so convincing that you see only the character unfolding,
even if it was only for a minute before it clicked
I’m not talking about minimal physical transformation, not heavy, prosthetics or CGI for example which would obviously disguise a person.

When an actor immerses themselves in a character
They are taking away their character completely
In doing so they’ find myself in a paradox
When does acting end and their character begin

They train all their life to be a believable character
To personify little idiosyncrasies to define depth
Part of this training is believing you are
who you say you are

At gatherings and parties they try
to be themselves But who is that?
They’re celebrated for other characters
they became, does that character remain
Are there attributes that glam onto
their psyche soul that won’t let go.

They become more unsure of the real world and their part in it. People accuse them of acting.
A pugnacious member takes issue argument, transpire the actor in a quagmire
Fight or flight what characteristics to prevail

Is it any wonder why a significant number of actors actresses, run to psychologists or psychiatrists for years of therapy or psychotherapy?.Major decisions rehashed for other’s opinion what should I do?

Think of the movies where an actor changed himself so much for a character that
you did not recognize him. if only for a minute.
I could name a few.

Keith Ledger as The Joker( his last role)
Fellow Actors said he was so scary.
They couldn’t even say their lines.
The darkness that came out of him

There are others, but these readily come to mine

Heath Ledger in Batman
Dustin Hoffman in Rain man
Billy Bob Thornton in Sling Blade
Matthew McConaughey in, The Buyers Club

Christian Bale in Machinist
Jake Gyllenhaal and Brokeback Mountain
Sylvester Stallone in Rocky

People’s burning desires come to California
To become a star, follow their dream they’ll go far
Life is not what it seems broke, sleep in the car
Are you willing to sell your soul to become a star?

Can you survive The Harvey Weinstein‘
Movie Mogul  type the casting couch slouch
Roofie, **** drug without  consent
or The music scene P Diddy type Hell bent

I encourage you to watch some of these movies where the actors are so far above the rest


Inspired songs
1) Vogue live MTV awards YouTube1990
By Madonna
2) American woman
The Guess Who 1970
3) mama told me not to come
By Three Dog Night
4) The long and windingRoad 1970
By the Beatles
5) evil way
By Santana


BLT Webster’s word of the day challenge
April 15, 2025 pugnacious
Someone described as pugnacious shows a readiness or desire to fight or argue
Footnotes
Behind the wizards curtain
People put on their underwear one leg at a time
I was engaged to a VP of a film company. What I saw made me never want to become an actress.
Better to be behind the scenes as a writer.
you still maintain your anonymity
And have a better chance at keeping your integrity intact but it depends how bad you want it
Will you sell your soul to become famous?
because it really is about that
What would you do to become a star.
I had more than one man tell me “sleep with them and they’ll make me a star”
. I laughed. I knew how much money they were making on the picture and they were a C star
A nobody’s It’s all in who you know.
But Hollywood breaks people nervous breakdowns, drug overdoses. They’re not mentally strong enough to survive Hollyweird.
CJ Sutherland Jan 2021
In the dark
Quiet sparks
Wee hours,
Of the night
lack of sleep
I fight

While millions sleep
My mind
floods
Thoughts,
Words seep

You simply can't shut,
Your brain down
Quieting the mind,
Only comes from  
Writing time

Only when,
All that must come out
Has come through,
Satisfying without a doubt
greatest peace I ever knew
there are times I can write fast enough while other times I cannot write a word nor do I want too.
CJ Sutherland Aug 2024
Bad legislation

      Loud fallacious arguments
              
                                Ad Hominem wars
BLT Webster’s word of the day
8-25-24 fallacious
Describes an argument or assumption that is false or inaccurate tends to mislead or deceive others
Ad Hominem (Old word of the day) Bonus
Argument, attack that appeals to prejudice, impugns, character, slippery *****, Red Herring, fallacy . appeals, to prejudiced, rather than fact
157 · Feb 28
Pomp and Circumstance
CJ Sutherland Feb 28
A gallant man
Donned his Top Hat
Tipped the brim
Smiled ceremoniously

As the young ladies passed by
A glint, a gleam
In the corner of the eye
A gentleman by and bye

At the close of the day
The foyer was the place
An unspoken ceremony
Of  Style and Grace

He Doffed
His outer wrap
Dress Coat Top Hat
Cleaned and pressed  

Kept preserved
For the well dressed
At the ready
Of the gentleman‘s leisure

Until the next day
For the well deserved
Sanctimonious
Ceremonial
Continually observed

A prominent display
Of pomp and circumstance
(Pompenstanse)

An elegant dance
Of the well to do
In the year of our Lord 1882
BLT Webster’s Word of the day challenge
2-27-25 Doff
To Dolph a hat or other piece of clothing is to take it off
FYI
To Don a hat is to wear it
156 · Oct 2024
Change of the Guard
CJ Sutherland Oct 2024
Candid Debate
America’s
Stakes Race

All
Or
Nothing

Candidates
Berate
Each other
In
Desperate
Frustration

A
Worthy opponent
Asks

Are you
Better off
Today

Then
You were
Four years
Ago?

Versus

I will
Say
Whatever
You want
Me too
Say

To get
Your
Vote

I will
Replace
You

I will
Buy your
Vote

At all
Costs

I will
Win
BLT Websters word of the day Challenge
Berate 10-6-24
To scold angerly, and at length
156 · Mar 25
Seconds in a day
CJ Sutherland Mar 25
86400
Seconds
In a day
Tick-tock
Tick- tock
Time is
Passing
Away

Never ceasing
Always increasing
Moving forward
So much to do and say
Before you call it a day
Life is passing you by
In the blink of an eye
Moving forward
Why is time
So fleeting
So defeating

Five
More
Minutes
If you Please
300 seconds
Allergies
A wind
To create
A sneeze
Relentless

1,000,000 seconds
Translates to be
The inertia of
You and Me

TikTok
Watch
The clock
Time is
Passing by
In the blink
Of an eye
Until we say
Goodbye


Inspired Song
Time in a Bottle , 1972
By Jim Croce
July 2024
This has been in my draft poems
for a while
until I got it right
where I want it
156 · Oct 2023
Half truth
CJ Sutherland Oct 2023
When you.                  cut off
a family.                       member
for.                                life
they will.                     never
tell.                              people
the full.                       story
Their side.                   Full glory
they will.                     only
tell                                Everyone
the part.                       that you did
that makes.                  you look bad,
Bitter.                            Mad
The great                      Divide
Separation.                   Festers the rot
All involved.                Distraught
Every member.            Must choose
In the end.                    They all lose.
Every day I hear people say that family member is toxic. I’m getting rid of him I’m not talking That person anymore I don’t need that drama in my alarm. God gave us every family member. Pacifically for a reason. I wonder who those people think they know more than God that’s the diversity that’s the thing family needs to overcome they throw people away like trash. I’m sure you know what you’re doing and10/23
Malleable minds
Growing where knowledge finds
Qualities of learning grows in kind
Like a sponge soaking over time
Seeking knowledge they will find

Thirst for more they learn
Raising their hand, take their turn
The wheels in the mind discern
Subscribe to the attributes time churns

That aha moment when they grasp the concept
Once knowledge is learned it’s kept
in their mind and in their heart
it’s malleable, but it’ll never part.

The gift of education is more than If you could
It’s changing a person for the betterment of good
Giving them the keys to success learn and grow
The seeds of wisdom understanding they sew.

Education is something no man can take away
It’s more then what Teachers say
Each student calculates reason their own way
Applied concepts emerging intelligence at play

The weight of a valued teacher insurmountable
teachers don’t measure up should be accountable
Playing with impressionable minds is precarious
to knowingly poison that mind is nefarious.


Inspired song
Another brick in the wall part two 1979
By Pink Floyd



BLT Webster’s word of the day challenge
April 7, 2025 malleable
Something described as malleable is capable of being stretched or bent into different shapes or capable of being easily changed or influence
The greatest thing about education is when a teacher and parts critical thinking, concepts, and education to expand the mind of a young adult. Thereby imparting wisdom they will grow to become who they were meant to be. And that is something the man can take away. Knowledge is a beautiful thing. The limits are only bound by the individual. The world is an oyster explore want more
155 · Sep 2024
Fences Ethos
CJ Sutherland Sep 2024
Who is your neighbor?

Strong fences makes good neighbors

Goodwill, peace to man



Modern haiku
Three lines based on syllables
pattern5-7-5



Inspired songs

1) Sitting on a fence (official lyric video)
By The Rolling Stones
2) signs (1971)
By the five man electrical band
BLT Webster’s Word of the Day challenge
Ethos 9-10-24
Means the guiding beliefs of a person, group or organization
Next page